persistent

adjective

per·sis·tent | \ pər-ˈsi-stənt

, -ˈzi-\

Definition of persistent

1 : existing for a long or longer than usual time or continuously: such as

a : retained beyond the usual period a persistent leaf

b : continuing without change in function or structure persistent gills

c : effective in the open for an appreciable time usually through slow volatilizing mustard gas is persistent

d : degraded only slowly by the environment persistent pesticides

e : remaining infectious for a relatively long time in a vector after an initial period of incubation persistent viruses

2a : continuing or inclined to persist in a course

b : continuing to exist despite interference or treatment a persistent cough has been in a persistent vegetative state for two years

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Examples of persistent in a Sentence

Contrary to persistent myth, Hoover was an activist. — Steve Forbes, Forbes, 30 June 2008 The high-water mark of such truckling might be the publication of the Cato Institute report "America's Record Trade Deficit: A Symbol of Strength." Freedom had become slavery; persistent deficits had become economic power. — Eric Janszen, Harper's, February 2008 The silence started from your end just about the time you said good-bye to dear St. Elizabeth and it has been constant and persistent ever since. — Archibald Macleish, letter, 11 July 1959 We were nagged by a persistent salesman. He is one of the government's most persistent critics. She has been persistent in pursuing the job. He has been fighting a persistent cold. Flooding has been a persistent problem in the area this year. Persistent rumors that the business is for sale have alarmed the staff.

Recent Examples on the Web

To progressives, such critics have sanitized King’s legacy, erasing its radical elements to avoid acknowledging persistent racial inequality. — Coleman Hughes, WSJ, "Martin Luther King, Colorblind Radical," 17 Jan. 2019 Deep, persistent inequality — access to safe neighborhoods and hospitals, functioning schools, healthy food — plays a part. — Danielle Jackson, Longreads, "A Frustrating Year of Reporting on Black Maternal Health," 14 June 2018 Not even the attraction of yields among the highest in emerging markets could stop bond inflows - which the country relies on to help finance a persistent current-account deficit - from turning to outflows. — Colleen Goko, Bloomberg.com, "South African Rand Is Back to Its Bad Old Way," 21 May 2018 What endures in this final book, though, is a fixation with the past as a portal to present misères, whether persistent gender inequalities or economic disparities as extreme as those of the industrial age. — Jason Farago, New York Times, "When Misery Becomes a Subject for Art," 18 May 2018 The outdoor memorial and an accompanying museum draw a direct line from enslavement and lynching to the persistent racial inequality plaguing the country today, including segregation and mass incarceration. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Alabama memorial captures the scale of racial terror in the U.S.," 3 May 2018 However, power generation problems, electronics woes, and rapidly wearing out railgun barrels have been persistent issues. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "China’s Railgun Has Reportedly Gone to Sea," 31 Dec. 2018 But even in person, Mase exudes a persistent welcome and warmth that comes from his thoughtful engagement in conversation and a casual charm that easily breaks into hearty laughter. — Crystal Paul, The Seattle Times, "Seattle poet J Mase III makes his own way and teaches other trans and queer artists to carve out sustainable careers," 13 Apr. 2019 Low commodity prices, persistent drought and labor shortages have pushed many farmers to the edge. — Michael Bennet, WSJ, "Trump Has Been Bad for Farmers," 6 Mar. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'persistent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.